Sharing Best Practices from Research on Underserved Students and College Success

• By: CASC
• On: 05/01/2019 18:55:57
• In: CASC Blogs

his article stems from the supporting research that workshop trainer, Danielle Duarte, compiled for CASC. Danielle's research interest is on the interplay between students of color and their success in persisting and graduating from college. Danielle's presentation proposal to CASC provided us with a fantastic overview of the current issues and what strategies could be applied. We are sharing a summary of this with all of you! 

The research is very clear — significant discrepancies exist for underserved students. For example, research from the National Student Clearing House finds that Black and Latino students are less likely to persist through college in their first year, at rates of 67% and 70% respectively, compared to their White (79%) and Asian (85%) peers, and similar discrepancies are seen for college graduation. These results are likely caused by a variety of factors. Arguably some researchers suggest student experiences on campus may vary significantly. As students of color navigate predominately white campuses, their experiences may impact their feelings of connectedness and belonging. A recent study by the University of Wisconsin surveyed students about the reasons they considered dropping out of college, finding that White students reported academic reasons as the top concern (37%), compared to 54% of students of color reporting "racial climate" as their number one reason. Furthermore, recent findings (2018) in a report published by the American College Health Association suggest that college students are reporting high levels of overwhelming anxiety (60% or higher), while 40% say they feel so depressed they have difficulty functioning. 

Danielle Duarte's training will provide attendees with different ways of approaching college and career readiness practices (curriculum and advising) at the secondary level. It is based on adopting a strategic focus on social-emotional learning and racial identity development, assisting students of color to realize greater personal value and self-authorship in their post-secondary journey, and aligning with improved college persistence and graduation. 

Workshop: Surviving to Thriving: Supporting Underserved Students' College Persistence and Completion 

Date: May 31, 2019 

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Location: CASC Office & Training Center — 3602 Inland Empire Blvd. Suite B-205, 91764 

Link: https://www.schoolcounselor-ca.org/ 

Meet Your Presenter 
Danielle Duarte is passionate about supporting students' academic success, college and career readiness, and social/emotional development while using data to show the impact of school counselors. She is currently a doctoral student in the Education Leadership Program at Harvard University and has co-authored two books — Hatching Results for Elementary School Counseling and Hatching Results for Secondary School Counseling. Previously, Danielle worked as a school counselor, counseling grant project director, adjunct faculty member at San Diego State University, and Director of Professional Development for Hatching Results. She was featured in San Diego Magazine's 17 Big Ideas for 2017: Let's Implement More School Counseling Programs and earned Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) status in her previous district. Additionally, Danielle served on the Board of Directors for the California Association of School Counselors for seven years including as President (2015-2016) and was also involved in Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Initiative, attending all national convenings representing California's Reach Higher Team. Her drive to improve students' educational outcomes stems from a belief that all students can succeed when given the right support, and she feels grateful to work in a profession to help make positive changes in the world.